Thought I’d answer a question from the comments, with this post. Linda asked what edition these Jane Austen novels were – and that’s a good excuse to show you them all! They’re Book-of-the-Month Club editions, from 1996, published in the UK by Softback Preview. And they’re gorgeous! They were bought for me by Our Vicar’s Wife and Barbara-from-Ludlow when we went on a book-buying trip to Blaenavon, the Welsh equivalent of Hay-on-Wye. I don’t know how the town is faring now – certainly business hasn’t been booming on the two occasions I’ve visited. A shame.
I expect most of this blog’s readership has read all six Austen novels, and there probably isn’t anyone here who’s not read at least one… so the question is, which is your favourite? I think you can tell a lot about a person by which Austen novel is their favourite… own up!
Mansfield Park. Despite the hard work of defending it every time I’m asked (“no, Fanny isn’t boring, she’s shy. Of course it’s different”). With Persuasion a very close second.
I have those editions! So lovely! I bought them in Oxford when I was at Magdalen and had to struggle home with them. (Not as bad as the time I bought a complete set of Dickens from the Oxfam bookshop up by St John’s, though).
Persuasion first, Pride & Prejudice second. Though I studied Emma at A Level so haven’t read it since.
Goodness, these look lovely arranged together like this. The US BOMC published some that look like this a few years ago – I’m not sure if they are identical since I do not own them. My favorite has to be Pride and Prejudice. Persuasion is second. Are you going to give us our personality assessments in your next post? ;-)
Those are lovely. Mine are all Modern Library editions, but I wish they had those covers. My favorite is Persuasion and then Pride and Prejudice. I need to read more of her work.
Simon….I am your lucky winner! My e-mails to you keep being returned, could you check if there is something wrong your end? Sorry about all this. C.
Hi Carole – sorry, I am having trouble with yahoo at the moment. Try simon.thomas@magd.ox.ac.uk – it’ll expire before long, but hopefully not too soon!
Persuasion without a doubt. The letter Captain Wentworth rights to her at the end of the book never fails to move me ‘you have captured my sould. I have loved none but you’
wonderful
I’m now turning green with envy after seeing those gorgeous covers! A few weeks ago I would have nominated Pride and Prejudice, but I recently re-read Persuasion and now I can’t decide between them. I’ll have to re-read P&P as well, and then choose. Or try to.
Gorgeous covers!
Pride and Prejudice is one of my “Top Five” books so I’d have to say that it’s this one with Emma second. Although having read the other comments I begin to wonder if I need to re-read Persuasion as it’s been a while…
I hate Jane Austen. Always have. Just can`t see it.
Now what does that say about ny character ?
I recently discovered your wonderful blog! I would have to say Pride & Prejudice. And I actually own 2 of the versions of Jane Austen’s books you mentioned in your post (you are right, they are beautiful). I will have to keep my eye open for the rest!
I want those books. And I’ll stop at nothing, crazed as I am by booklust…
(MANSFIELD PARK btw. And I still haven’t managed to finish EMMA – my least favourite obviously.)
I come to this page rather late, but I would like to float the idea that choosing a favourite Jane book is a bit like choosing a cake from a dish of the most delectable confections. They are all absolutely delicious but there are times when a chocolate eclaire is just what you want. At other times only a chelsea bun or a cream horn, coffee gateau or chocolate fudge cake, millionaire’s shortbread or vanilla slice will do! So, my favourites vary with the time of year, the state of my diary, my health, my age, the weather, location – well, anything really. Add to the mix how long it is since I last read a particular book and you have a recipe for indulgence and indecision. Oh, and I’m a woman. so I am entitled to be inconsistant!
Anne
ps maybe someone would like to choose a cake to represent each book – washed down with a suitable type of tea. Mmmm.
The editions you show in your photos are exactly the ones I want. Does anyone know where I can find them?
Thank you!
Love these covers, first off. My Bestest has these for her Austen collection {best way to find them? Try used book stores!}, while I have a hodge podge {mostly the Borders 1995 collection}.
Favorite Austen book would have to be Northanger Abbey, with Sense & Sensibility second. I love that the main character of N.A. is an avid reader with a wild imagination!